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Is age catching up to Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suárez?

Ranger Suarez, the Boston Red Sox's top free agent signing of 2026, finished the year with a 3.22 ERA and a 23% strikeout rate. He recorded two eight-inning shutouts and six starts where he went at least six innings while giving up one run or less.

His ability to limit hard contact remained strong, with his barrel and hard-hit rates placing him in the top 20% of qualifiers. He also continued to show exceptional defensive skills on the mound.

However, his walk rate climbed from 5.8% to 7.5%, which limited him to an average of 5.1 innings per start. This increase was partly due to the Automated Ball-Strike system, as batters overturned 17 strikes against him, the second-highest total in the league.

Conversely, the Red Sox overturned 13 calls in his favor. His cutter's zone rate against right-handed hitters fell from 57% to 44%, causing a 6% drop in his strike rate.

While his changeup was his top two-strike pitch to righties in 2025, its chase rate declined in 2026.

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